title: Anti-inflammatory effects of Cynanchum taiwanianum rhizome aqueous extract in IL-1β-induced NRK-52E cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cynanchum taiwanianum T. Yamaza (Asclepiadaceae) is a medicinal herb used in folk medicine for the treatment of several inflammation-related diseases such as hepatitis and dermatitis in Taiwan.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of C. taiwanianum T. Yamaza rhizome aqueous extract (CTAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of CTAE using IL-1β-induced NRK-52E cells. Production of NO and PGE(2) by ELISA, the mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2, phosphorylation of IκBα, and activation of NF-κB by RT-PCR and western blotting were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CTAE significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited NO and PGE(2) production (decreased by 46.1% and 51%, respectively), and also significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 (decreased by 90% and 55% for iNOS and by 72% and 74%% for COX-2, respectively) in IL-1β-induced NRK-52E cells, in a dose-dependent manner, without obvious cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, the CTAE suppressed the NF-κB nuclear translocation, in terms of inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provided evidence for its folkloric uses and suggest that the anti-inflammatory activities of CTAE may result from the inhibition of inflammatory mediators, such as NO and PGE(2), and an upstream suppression of a NF-κB-dependent mechanism, might be involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hou-I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jia-Hsin
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Chih-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Mao-Chang
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ti
authors.forename: Kuang-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Chun-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Chih-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Chi-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yaw-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tzu-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D031105:Cynanchum; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D027343:Rhizome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D015232:Dinoprostone